Sylogism IBPS PO exam is a major topic in the Reasoning Ability section of 2025, both prelims and main. This tests a candidate’s logical logical skills and the ability to draw legitimate conclusions from the given statements. Although the concept is simple, options can be misleading if you are not well aware of its basic rules. With the rise of new patterns questions, it is even more important to understand the traditional syllagism by using the vein diagrams, as it gives the foundation of resolving both old and new types quickly and accurately.
Sylogism for IBPS PO 2025
A syllagism is a form of logical logic where the conclusion is drawn from two or more statements (also known as the complex). These statements use universal and special quantifiers such as all, something, or not. Your job is to evaluate whether the conclusions follow the statements given logically.
Types of statement in sylogisms
| Types of statement in sylogisms | ||
| Detail type | structure | Example |
| Universal positive (all A) | All A → B | All cats are animals. |
| Universal negative (not AB) | No A → B | No dog is a cat. |
| Particularly positive (some are AB) | Some a → b | Some birds are parrots. |
| Particularly negative (some are not AB) | Some a → ¬b | Some apples are not red |
Basic rule
To solve sylogism questions correctly, follow these 5 fundamental rules:
Rule 1: All → something
If “all are AB,” then “something AB” is automatically true.
Example:
Diya: All dogs are animals.
Conclusion: Some dogs are animals. (valid)
Rule 2: No → no and nothing else
If “no is AB,” then:
“There is no B” (reverse is true).
“Some are not B are not B” always comes true.
Rule 3: Some → Some (Reversion)
If “some are AB,” then “something be” is also true.
Example:
Diya: Some birds are parrots.
Conclusion: Some parrots are birds. (valid)
Rule 4: Nothing + no = no conclusion
If one statement is “something” and the other is not “”, no definite conclusion can be drawn.
Rule 5: Two special statements → no conclusion
If both the given statements are “something” or “nothing …”, there is no valid conclusion.
Understanding “only”, “something” and “only a few” statements
Only A B
This means that all are B is one, but this does not mean that all are B.
Example: “Only cats are pets” = All pets are cats.
Only a few are AB
It implies: This is a hybrid case that clearly denies a full overlap.
There are some AB, and
There are no AB.
There are some AB
In sylogism, “something” is generally considered like “something”- which means at least one but not all. But it can indicate that there are some ABs, with a suggestion (not sure) that nothing is there.
Example:
Example 1: Statement:
Some laptops are durable.
All sustainable items are expensive.
conclusion:
Some laptops are expensive.
Most laptops are not expensive.
Answer:
Conclusion 1 (valid – some → some overlap).
Conclusion 2 (invalid – “most” cannot be confirmed).
Example 2: Statement:
Most are fans of Indian cricket.
Some cricket fans like football.
conclusion:
Some Indians like football.
No cricket fan is Indian.
Answer:
Conclusion 1 (possible but not certain).
Conclusion 2 (invalid-contradiction statements).
Using Wayne Diagrams to solve Sylogisms
Wayne diagram is the most reliable way to solve sylogism questions. They represent the relationship between the sets (or groups) mentioned in blind statements. Here’s how to draw van for each type:
All AB → Circle A are completely B inside B
No Aab → There are two circles A and B that do not touch.
Some are B → overlapping parts between AA and B
There are no AB → part of a lie outside B. B.
Steps to use Wayne diagram:
- Read and understand all the statements clearly.
- Create a diagram based on the structure of the statements.
- Check each conclusion against the diagram.
- Mark the conclusions that definitely follow.
- Use simple circles; Do not overcomplicating.
- Use the overlap carefully – only when “something” is involved.
- Do not accept the intersections until clearly said.
- For “no” statements, never let the circles touch.
Common mistakes to escape
- Assuming that “some are AB” means “something b is one” (not always not valid).
- “Someer” means “very little” – consider it as “something” in logic.
- I misunderstand “only” statements as “all”.
- Jumping to the conclusion without painting a vein diagram.
- Ignoring the conclusion that is probably true but certainly not true.
Perspectives for syllagism
- Start with two-stagnation basic problems.
- Gradually go to three-stagnation and new-pattern questions.
- Possible-based, “either-or”, and focus on “only a few” matters.
- Regularly solve questions from previous year papers and fake tests.
- Analyze the wrong answers to understand the logic interval.
